Mass media

            Mass media has influenced our society in many ways. Here are some ways it influenced me:

• Books: In my 5th grade, Harry Potter was running viral among my friends. A bunch of them went bonkers over the book that they read it even at school. So I thought of giving it a go. Later, I found myself reading it on the previous day of exams and getting shouted at. It was my middle school craze. Very recently, I was introduced to John Green and have been reading couple of his novels. 

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• Newspapers: I grew up in a culture where waking up as early as 5am, grabbing a newspaper and sipping coffee was considered a perfect start for the day. But I didn't find newspapers very positive. In high school, my interests in newspapers were mostly to solve sudoku puzzles. 

• Magazines: As a child, I enjoyed reading comic strips and solving puzzles in children's magazines. Most recently, the few times I read magazines were while waiting for the dentist. Magazines were the only way of distracting myself from imagining the horrors I would have to face on the dentist's chair. I would usually pick it up to get the scoop on some celebrity news and motivational articles.

• Movies: Sound of Music is one of the hollywood movies I found very fascinating. Besides the long shot scenery in the opening scene, what I love is the music. The young confident lady who listened to her heart was inspiring. I personally think that should be the whole point of a movie rather than mere entertainment.

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• Audio: My relationship with mp3s and stereos was more math-oriented. As it happens, playing them was mostly to keep myself up for late night studies. But they were and will always be of great significance throughout my course of mathematic problems and life problems. 

• Radio: The only source of entertainment apart from the scenic attractions when I used to travel in my mother's car. I mostly listened to Malayalam FM stations. Some RJs were worth waiting for.  

• Television: I was one of those kids who eagerly waits for the evening school bell and runs back home to catch up with their TV schedule. But unfortunately or fortunately, I always had my mother unplugging the cable whenever I exceeded the screen time she prescribed.  

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• Internet: When I was in high school, Internet was mostly for social networking. But now, here I am doing more than that! Satisfying my curiosity by simply running fingers over some keys is the best thing I liked about this forward-looking media. At this point, it is the cheapest way to connect with my friends and family.

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    Since the poverty and illiteracy rates are high in India, television and radio play a major role in moulding a well-informed society. Being the largest democracy, India relies heavily on all forms of mass media for an engaged nation.